Protective mask

ABSTRACT

A protective mask and methods of use for reducing the transmission of pathogens during nasal and/or oral examination or procedure. The protective mask has a facepiece through which a probe, scope, instrument, or device can puncture and/or traverse while the transmission of pathogens remains blocked or mostly blocked between a wearer and a healthcare worker performing a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure. In the parts of the mask corresponding to the wearer&#39;s nostrils and/or mouth, the protective mask may have pre-formed holes; a transparent or translucent membrane with pre-formed holes; or a transparent or translucent membrane that can be punctured and/or traversed by a probe, scope, instrument, or device. A probe, scope, instrument, or device that punctures and/or traverses the facepiece forms a tight juncture with the facepiece or translucent membrane of the facepiece, which prevents the transmission of pathogens.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective mask for use in a healthcare setting that helps minimize the exchange of pathogens between the wearer of the mask and a healthcare worker through exhaled breath particles, salivary particles, and/or respiratory actions such as coughing or sneezing. In particular, the present invention relates to a protective mask comprising a transparent or translucent membrane positioned on the mask in the area corresponding approximately to the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth. The membrane may be comprised of a material that can be punctured and traversed by at least one medical probe, scope, instrument, or device in a way that minimizes or prohibits air flow and the exchange of exhaled breath and/or salivary particles between the wearer and a healthcare worker. In the alternative, the membrane may include at least one pre-formed hole or slit in the area corresponding approximately to the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth through which a medical probe, scope, instrument, or device can traverse the membrane to access a nasal cavity, a nasal passage, or the mouth, while forming a tight juncture that also minimizes or prohibits air flow and the exchange of exhaled breath and/or salivary particles between the wearer and a healthcare worker. In yet another alternative, the protective mask itself may include at least one pre-formed hole or slit in the area corresponding approximately to the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth through which a medical probe, scope, instrument, or device can traverse the hole or slit to access a nasal cavity, a nasal passage, or the mouth, while forming a tight juncture that also minimizes or prohibits air flow and the exchange of exhaled breath and/or salivary particles between the wearer and a healthcare worker.

BACKGROUND

In both outpatient and inpatient settings involving nasal and/or oral examination or procedures, exchange of exhaled breath and/or salivary particles such as pathogens between patient and healthcare worker presents a serious health hazard. The proximity and face-to-face contact between patient and healthcare worker during a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure (e.g. cauterization, swabs) increases the risk of pathogen transmission through air flow or the exchange of exhaled breath, particulate matter, and/or salivary particles. Under certain circumstances, exposure to pathogens in the aforementioned ways also poses a public health risk: a healthcare worker infected by one patient through exhaled breath particles or other airborne or droplet transmission can easily infect many other patients during subsequent examinations or procedures.

In present inpatient and outpatient settings in which a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure is administered, a patient may wear a protective mask to minimize the possibility of pathogen infection. However, nasal and oral examination and procedures require a protective mask to be removed so a healthcare worker can access the nasal cavity and passages or mouth. Face mask removal may expose the healthcare worker to aerosol and/or droplet transmission of pathogens through the patient's exhaled breath particles, salivary particles, or respiratory actions (e.g., coughing or sneezing). At the same time, an unmasked healthcare worker may also expose a patient to infection in the same ways.

Thus, there is a need for a protective mask for use in healthcare settings that protects both the patient wearing the mask and a healthcare worker administering a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure from airborne and/or droplet transmission of pathogens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The transmission of pathogens such as viral, bacterial, fungal, prion, and/or other infectious agents through exhaled breath particles, salivary particles, or respiratory actions such as coughing and sneezing is a cause of concern during nasal and/or oral examination or procedures such as cauterization and throat swabs. The risk of transmission can be reduced if airborne particles and water or mucus droplets from a patient's nose and mouth are blocked, since pathogens would be caught by a mask before entering the surrounding air or environment. The risk of transmission can be further reduced if a patient's nose and mouth remain separated from the healthcare worker during nasal and/or oral examination or procedures, specifically. However, in order for a medical probe, scope, instrument, or device to access the nasal cavity and passages or mouth for certain types of examinations or procedures to occur, the nostrils or mouth must be exposed.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention relate to a protective mask comprising a transparent or translucent membrane positioned on the mask in the area corresponding approximately to the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth. The membrane may be comprised of a material that can be punctured and traversed by one or more medical probes, scopes, instruments, or devices in a way that minimizes or prohibits air flow and the exchange of exhaled breath and/or salivary particles between the wearer and a healthcare worker. In the alternative, the membrane may include at least one pre-formed hole or slit through which a probe, scope, instrument, or device can traverse the membrane to access a nasal cavity, nasal passage, or mouth, while forming a tight juncture that also minimizes or prohibits air flow and the exchange of exhaled breath and/or salivary particles between the wearer and a healthcare worker. An opening in the membrane, whether punctured or pre-formed, is preferably a slit, but can be any configuration that causes a tight juncture between a probe, scope, instrument, or device and the membrane. There may be a reinforcement around the hole or slit to prevent tearing.

The transparent or translucent nature of the membrane allows a healthcare worker to easily locate the patient's nostrils and/or mouth and examine and access the nasal cavity and passages or mouth using a medical probe, scope, instrument, or device, while minimizing or prohibiting air flow and the exchange of exhaled breath, particulate matter and/or salivary particles that may carry pathogens.

In other embodiments of the invention, the protective mask lacks a transparent or translucent window and the mask itself may include at least one pre-formed hole or slit through which a probe, scope, instrument, or device can traverse the hole or slit to access a nasal cavity, nasal passage, or mouth, while forming a tight juncture between the hole or slit and the probe, scope, instrument, or device that also minimizes or prohibits air flow and the exchange of exhaled breath and/or salivary particles between the wearer and a healthcare worker. A pre-formed opening in the protective mask is preferably a slit, but can be any configuration that causes a tight juncture between a probe, scope, instrument, or device and the opening itself. There may be a reinforcement around the hole or slit to prevent tearing.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the protective mask has a facepiece made of a rigid or semi-rigid material that provides the healthcare worker administering a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure with landmarks, allowing for efficient and accurate placement of the probe, scope, instrument, or device. A rigid or semi-rigid facepiece also permits the invention to be utilized in diagnostic as well as therapeutic applications such as cauterization, debridement, tissue biopsies, and oral or nasal swabs. Furthermore, a rigid or semi-rigid facepiece allows a healthcare worker to lean a probe, scope, instrument, or device on the mask, which would additionally act as a fulcrum for procedures requiring such support. According to a most preferred embodiment, the protective mask has a facepiece made of a particulate-filtering material, such as non-woven polypropylene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be further explained with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawing figures shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. In addition, any measurements, specifications and the like shown in the drawing figures, or described below, are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

FIG. 1 is a protective mask according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a transparent or translucent membrane over the wearer's nostrils.

FIG. 2 is a protective mask according to an embodiment of the present invention, with transparent or translucent membrane over the wearer's nostrils removed.

FIG. 3 is a protective mask according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a transparent or translucent membrane over the wearer's mouth.

FIG. 4 is a protective mask according to an embodiment of the present invention, with transparent or translucent membrane over the wearer's mouth removed.

FIG. 5 is a protective mask according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a medical probe puncturing and traversing a transparent or translucent membrane over the wearer's nostrils in order to access the wearer's nasal cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed embodiments of a protective mask are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of a protective mask that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. And the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the protective mask.

FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of a protective mask constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The protective mask 10 generally provides protection against pathogens that could be transmitted from patient to doctor during the course of a nasal examination or procedure. The protective mask 10 includes a facepiece 11 with an opening 12 in the area that corresponds approximately to the wearer's nostrils, while a transparent or translucent membrane 13 is sealed over the opening 12. The protective mask 10 has headstraps 14 and an adjustable nose clip 15 for securing the mask to the wearer's head and face, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of a protective mask constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with transparent or translucent membrane 13 removed from the opening 12.

FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of a protective mask constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The protective mask 10 generally provides protection against pathogens that could be transmitted from patient to doctor during the course of an oral examination or procedure. The protective mask 10 includes a facepiece 11 with an opening 16 in the area that corresponds approximately to the wearer's mouth, while a transparent or translucent membrane 17 is sealed over the opening 16. The protective mask 10 has headstraps 14 and an adjustable nose clip 15 for securing the mask to the wearer's head and face, respectively.

FIG. 4 shows a front elevational view of a protective mask constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with transparent or translucent membrane 17 removed from the opening 16.

FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of a protective mask constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The protective mask 10 includes a facepiece 11 with an opening 12 in the area that corresponds approximately to the wearer's nostrils, while a transparent or translucent membrane 13 is sealed over the opening. The protective mask 10 has headstraps 14 and an adjustable nose clip 15 for securing the mask to the wearer's head and face, respectively. A probe, scope, instrument, or medical device can puncture and traverse the transparent or translucent membrane while a healthcare worker performs a nasal examination or procedure.

In a preferred embodiment of a first aspect of the invention, the facepiece 11 of the protective mask 10 is constructed using a rigid or semi-rigid material.

In another preferred embodiment of a first aspect of the invention, the opening in the facepiece is a gap or a slit.

In another preferred embodiment of a first aspect of the invention, the facepiece may comprise more than one opening, such as two openings that correspond to a wearer's nostrils. In addition, the facepiece may comprise an opening that corresponds to a wearer's mouth.

In another preferred embodiment of a first aspect of the invention, the facepiece 11 of the protective mask 10 is constructed using a particulate-filtering material.

In another embodiment of a first aspect of the invention, the transparent or translucent membrane 13 attached to the facepiece 11 of the protective mask 10 is constructed using one or more of a plastic polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin.

In an embodiment of a second aspect of the invention, the transparent or translucent membrane 13 attached to the facepiece 11 of the protective mask 10 contains at least one pre-formed hole or slit through which a probe, scope, instrument, or device can traverse the membrane, while forming a tight juncture with the membrane.

In an embodiment of a third aspect of the invention, the facepiece 11 of the protective mask 10 itself may contain at least one pre-formed hole or slit through the parts of the protective mask corresponding approximately to the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth, which a probe, scope, instrument, or device can traverse while forming a tight juncture with the hole or slit.

In an embodiment of a fourth aspect of the invention, a protective face mask 10 is used in a method of minimizing transmission of pathogens between the wearer and a healthcare worker, who administers a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure by puncturing and traversing a transparent or translucent membrane 13 on the facepiece 11 of the mask using a probe, scope, instrument, or medical device, without causing pathogens to leak outside of the protective mask.

In an embodiment of a fifth aspect of the invention, a protective face mask 10 is used in a method of minimizing transmission of pathogens between the wearer and a healthcare worker, who administers a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure by traversing a probe, scope, instrument, or device through one or more pre-formed hole(s) or slit(s) to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, while a tight juncture is formed between the probe, scope, instrument, or device and the pre-formed hole(s) or slit(s) that prevents pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask. 

1. A protective mask comprising a facepiece and headstraps, said facepiece comprising one or more openings in the areas corresponding approximately to a wearer's nostrils and/or mouth and a transparent or translucent membrane sealed over each opening.
 2. The protective mask of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable nose clip or nose guard.
 3. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said facepiece is rigid or semi-rigid.
 4. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material.
 5. The protective mask of claim 4, wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material that can filter out at least 95 percent of airborne particles.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is not water-penetrable.
 8. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of wax.
 9. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of polyolefin.
 10. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of polyvinyl chloride.
 11. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of a blend of wax and either polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane can be punctured and traversed by a probe or device through application of pressure by a human hand.
 14. A protective mask as in claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane has at least one pre-formed hole or slit through which a probe or device can traverse said membrane to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, while forming a tight juncture with said probe or device that prevents pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask.
 15. A protective mask as in claim 1, wherein said transparent or translucent membrane has at least one pre-formed hole or slit surrounded by reinforcement material, through which a probe or device can traverse said membrane to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, while forming a tight juncture with said probe or device that prevents pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask.
 16. A protective mask comprising a facepiece and headstraps, said facepiece comprising at least one pre-formed hole or slit through which a probe or device can traverse said hole(s) or slit(s) to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, while forming a tight juncture with said probe or device that prevents pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask.
 17. The protective mask of claim 16, wherein said pre-formed hole(s) or slit(s) are located in the areas corresponding approximately to a wearer's nostrils and/or mouth.
 18. The protective mask of claim 16, further comprising an adjustable nose clip or nose guard.
 19. The protective mask of claim 16, wherein said facepiece is rigid or semi-rigid.
 20. The protective mask of claim 16, wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material.
 21. The protective mask of claim 20, wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material that can filter out at least 95 percent of airborne particles.
 22. (canceled)
 23. A method of minimizing the transmission of pathogens between patient and healthcare worker during a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure using a protective mask as in claim 1, wherein at least one probe or device punctures and traverses the transparent or translucent membrane to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, each causing an opening in said membrane that forms a tight juncture with the probe or device while preventing pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask. 